Determining Changes in the Dynamic Material Response of Boron Carbide Above the Hugoniot Elastic Limit From Silicon Elemental Inclusion

Abstract

Boron carbide (B4C) is a well-known ceramic demonstrating excellent hardness and compressive strength while maintaining a low density (2.52 g/cm3). Despite its promising characteristics, catastrophic failure is observed for impact pressures near and above the Hugoniot elastic limit (HEL). Several publications suggest that B4C, under pressures near the HEL, eject carbon atoms enabling amorphous shear band formations leading to catastrophic failure. Recent studies suggest that uniform placement of Si, within B4C, may support both an exothermic reaction with the ejected C forming SiC and removing the free carbon as well as replacing polar carbon sites that are ultimately believed to be the source of ejected carbon. Within this investigation, variation in stoichiometry ratios of Si, and Zr within B4C, will be investigated and correlated to the elastic precursor response both at the HEL and transitions to the shock wave.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 2023
Accession Number
AD1224372

Entities

People

  • Antonios Varvasoudis

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Readers

  • Mechanical Engineering/Mechanics of Materials.
  • Powder metallurgy of Titanium alloys.
  • Reinforced Composite Materials